TFL spending

Andrew Boff: How much money has TFL spent on marketing/digital/communications/external affairs agencies over the past 5 years, broken down by year? Please also provide details of what this money was used for and which agencies were/are used?

The Mayor: As stated in Mayor's Question 2019/0496, TfL does not use agencies for PR or public affairs work.
The only exception is the Art on the Underground programme, which contracts a specialist Arts PR support agency to communicate the programme as TfL do not have this expertise in-house. Art on the Underground’s work is part-funded by external sources, including commercial sponsorship, grants and sales income from selling limited editions prints and books online, as well as other products like artist designed tiles through specialist retailers. This income covers the cost of the PR support. This income can be seen in the ‘income received’ column of the below table.
In addition, over the period TfL’s Property Development programme contracted an agency to conduct specialist local community engagement to support the delivery of much needed new, affordable homes on TfL land. Crossrail 2 and TfL also contracted agencies to support in local community event planning and logistics work. These companies were not contracted to perform PR or public affairs work.
TfL is currently unable to share information on its spend with marketing and digital agencies as it is in the process of retendering its main media and creative agency contracts. Disclosing its current and previous spend would prejudice TfL’s ability to achieve best value in this tender. However, once this process is complete, TfL will be happy to follow up and share this information with you.
For completeness, as provided in Mayor's Question 2019/0496, please see attacheda table detailing the spend for agencies fitting your description from 2014-15 to present. This table has been updated to show spend from January 2019 – 31 May 2019.

TFL external communications

Andrew Boff: How many people does TFL employ who work in external communications, marketing, public relations and PR and what was their total salary costs for 2018/19?

The Mayor: Please see my answer toMayor's Question 2019/12296.

TFL external communications

Andrew Boff: How many people does TFL employ who work in external communications, marketing, public relations and PR and what was their total salary costs for the previous 5 years broken down by year?

The Mayor: Transport for London’s (TfL’s) Customer, External Relations and Press Office teams play a crucial role in keeping London moving.
These teams deliver campaigns to increase the use of public transport, walking and cycling and raise revenue. They deliver campaigns to reduce accidents on escalators and platforms, reduce deaths and serious injuries on the roads and to encourage more people to report incidents of inappropriate sexual behaviour. They fulfil TfL’s legal obligation to ensure Londoners can have their say on new Cycleways, road improvements and bus changes, and they work to support local communities – for example the community around the Grenfell Tower following the terrible tragedy there.
These staff engage young people, disabled people and older people in TfL’s decision making, and ensure that the views of businesses, charities, local residents and others are heard and acted upon. They provide signage and other essential customer information, warn customers of disruption and provide them with the real time information needed to navigate the city. They host visits from transport authorities from around the world, helping TfL exchange best practice and helping drive its consultancy business. They raise vital revenue through TfL’s advertising partnerships and through managing the consultation processes needed to enable developments on TfL land.
They also support the requirements of TfL’s political stakeholders, including Assembly Members, and ensure TfL can respond to scrutiny and provide information in a timely way. For example, since 1 May 2018 TfL has received 1595 cases from Assembly Members, their staff and GLA party groups. This in addition to many thousands of correspondence cases from MPs, Ministers, MEPs, Councillors and others.
The number of people deployed across these activities, and their associated staff costs, is at its lowest level on record, and further reductions are underway as part of TfL’s work to reduce back and middle office costs by 30 per cent.
Costs in marketing have decreased significantly in the past ten years and are down 66% since 2007/08. This contributed to TFL’s wider work to reduce operating costs, with the operating deficit nearly halved from its budgeted level at the end of 2018/19.
Please see tables below showing the relevant TfL employees and staff costs for the previous five years below.
Directorate
14/15 FTE
15/16 FTE
16/17 FTE
17/18 FTE
18/19 FTE
Customer and Revenue*
148.20
149.50
161.30
175.60
186.80
Press Office
34.60
32.60
31.60
30.60
29.60
Public Affairs & External Relations
31.50
39.30
51.30
45.70
34.60
Local Communities and Partnerships**
201.30
201.30
162.60
162.60
55.50
Total
415.60
422.70
406.80
414.50
306.50
Directorate
14/15 Staff Costs
15/16 Staff Costs
16/17 Staff Costs
17/18 Staff Costs
18/19 Staff Costs
Customer and Revenue
£12,960,769.86
£11,172,269.84
£11,687,988.18
£13,533,859.80
£15,889,771.60
Press Office
£1,627,712.42
£2,286,710.59
£2,186,706.84
£2,321,799.17
£2,264,888.74
Public Affairs & External Relations
£1,373,663.75
£2,722,801.48
£3,273,378.31
£3,593,110.40
£3,330,922.00
Behaviour Change, embedded External Relations teams and other transfers
£12,747,882.39
£12,747,882.39
£11,187,388.07
£9,850,772.33
Local Communities and Partnerships
£3,326,628.00
Total
£28,710,028.42
£28,929,664.30
£28,335,461.40
£29,299,541.70
£24,812,210.34
* There has been a rise in Customer staff numbers over the past five years due to internal reorganisation which has consolidated teams into one function and integrated some of TfL’s commercial revenue functions into this area.
** The Local Communities and Partnerships team was established in December 2017, bringing together employees from Behaviour Change, embedded External Relations teams and other transfers

A meeting of Mayors

Andrew Dismore: What did you discuss with the Mayor of Shenzhen at your meeting on 10 May 2019?

The Mayor: I hosted an introductory meeting with Mayor Chen Rugui and his accompanying delegation on 10 May. We discussed the important links and collaboration between London and Shenzhen, in business, education, culture and environment. Mayor Chen commended on the continuous effort from London & Partners to support trade & Investment initiatives between our cities. I also acknowledged the valuable contribution of Shenzhen based electric vehicle manufacturer BYD and their partnership with UK based Alexander Dennis Limited, who have produced new double decker electric buses being used on London’s roads.

TFL media space/inventory gifted (2)

Andrew Boff: What is the total rateable value of the media space and inventory on the TFL estate gifted to the Mayor by year.
Please provide me with the total value for the each of the following years:
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19

The Mayor: Campaigns featuring the Mayor have run across TfL’s network for a number of years, under successive Mayoralties.
The GLA is gifted an allocation of non-commercial, customer information spaces across the TfL estate each year to help inform Londoners about key events and initiatives – for example public events such as People’s Question Time, the State of London Debate, or tools and initiatives such as the rogue landlord checker, community support projects, and the Digital Talent Skills Programme. These sites are part of TfL’s overall allocation of customer information sites used to tell Londoners about transport in London. It is non-commercial advertising space and is not available to advertisers.
In 2010/11 the space allocated to the GLA was valued at £1.088m.In 2011/12 the amount of space increased in value by an additional £1.088m per annum, increasing the overall value to £2.176m per year. A further £320,000 was made available during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The amount of space allocated to the GLA has remained the same since 2011/12.

TFL media space/inventory gifted (1)

Andrew Boff: What is the total rateable value of the media space and inventory on the TFL estate featuring the name or photo of the incumbent Mayor at the time?
Please provide me with the total value for the each of the following years:
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19

The Mayor: TfL have a number of customer information sites across the network that are not available to advertisers. They use those sites for our own transport related campaigns, such as the promotion of our Off-Peak fares, or to notify drivers of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone.Campaigns featuring the Mayor have run across TfL’s network for a number of years, under successive Mayoralties.
The GLA has a long-standing agreement with TfL which means that a small number of these TfL information poster sites are offered to the GLA to ensure Londoners are aware of key initiatives and events in the capital which may also mention Mayor.
TfL does not hold information about the value of the spaces that feature the name or photo of the incumbent Mayor. Systems have been put in place to record this information for 2019/20 onwards.

Hammersmith Bridge map provision

Caroline Russell: Residents frustrated by a lack of temporary bus information during the closure of Hammersmith Bridge to buses have been posting their own maps at bus stops. Will Transport for London (TfL) urgently review its provision of information, including maps, so Londoners can get around while Hammersmith Bridge is closed to buses?

The Mayor: I understand residents’ frustration at the disruption caused by the closure of Hammersmith Bridge. Transport for London (TfL) is working very closely with Hammersmith & Fulham Council to confirm plans for repairing the bridge as soon as possible. In the meantime, it has made changes to the local bus network to improve links for customers affected by the closure, and has produced the following maps to illustrate these:
TfL continues to monitor all its customer information to ensure it remains accurate and up to date. TfL is also inviting comments on the bus service changes, and will review this feedback to help it decide whether to make any further changes.

Hammersmith Bridge

David Kurten: To ask the Mayor for an update on Hammersmith Bridge, which was closed 'indefinitely' in April 2019, after failing safety checks.

The Mayor: I completely understand how disruptive the closure of Hammersmith Bridge will be proving for people who live, work and travel in the area. Transport for London (TfL) is working extremely closely with Hammersmith & Fulham Council to confirm plans for repairing the bridge as soon as possible. This work includes analysing the detailed inspections and surveys which have been taking place to give a detailed picture of the bridge’s condition, which will ensure the best repair option is chosen. This work is nearly complete, and TfL and Hammersmith & Fulham expect to have a better idea of costs and timeframes for the chosen repair option in August.
TfL is also inviting feedback from customers on the changes it has made to the local bus network in response to the closure. TfL is carefully monitoring the situation and reviewing the feedback it has already received to help it decide whether further changes are needed. It has already introduced more buses on route 33 in response to its monitoring and comments received.

Freight Commissioner

Caroline Pidgeon: Given the importance of freight to London and ensuring it is transported around our city in a safe and environmentally friendly way, will you appoint a Freight Commissioner to champion this important area?

The Mayor: The importance of freight to London’s continued economic success is clear. We need safe, reliable, sustainable and efficient deliveries and servicing. Leadership on freight in London is provided by my Deputy Mayor for Transport, and at Transport for London (TfL), is led by Alex Williams, Director of City Planning.
My plans for freight in London are set out in the recently published Freight and Servicing action plan, a sub-document of my Transport Strategy. With support from industry and borough stakeholders, this brings together actions for safe, clean and efficient freight. TfL will continue to lead on coordinating the many parties involved in achieving our shared ambitions for freight and servicing in London, including boroughs, suppliers, operators, servicing companies, businesses, large organisations such as the NHS and customers to ensure the actions are delivered consistently across London. As such, I do not consider it necessary to appoint a Freight Commissioner.

Emergency Services Network (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: What is the cost of the further delays to the new Emergency Services Network for TfL, the Met Police and the Fire service in London? Will the Home Office be picking up all of these additional costs?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL)TfL has provided a revised capital forecast to the Home Office for implementing the Emergency Services Network (ESN) on the Underground against the revised national timetable for delivering ESN. The Home Office remains responsible for funding the entire cost of delivering this work on the Underground. TfL will not incur any costs as a result of these delays.
The Home Office will be addressing any cost issues in relation to the Met Police directly, any additional costs will be met by the Government.
The Home Office will also be addressing any cost issues in relation to the Fire Service directly. The only additional cost to the London Fire Brigade is the cost of the project team and this is being covered by grant funded from the Home Office.

Cycle Network for HS2 station as part of Old Oak Common

Caroline Russell: Campaigners tell me that HS2 Ltd is creating barriers to cycling, where a rebuilt bridge is proposed at Old Oak Common leaving it too narrow to permit cycleways. Will you use your influence via Transport for London (TfL) and the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) to deliver protected cycle facilities along the length of Old Oak Common Lane and ensure any works by HS2 Ltd, local boroughs and other developers support this?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is working with the relevant local authorities, OPDC and HS2 to promote the application of the London Cycling Design Standards and to secure the delivery of a comprehensive and safe cycling network. This includes aligning HS2’s designs with Future Route 23 and Cycleway 10, and working with HS2 to create safe junctions and significant levels of cycle parking at the new station.I have asked TfL to raise with HS2 the issue you have highlighted concerning the bridge at Old Oak Common to determine whether better provision for cyclists can be made, while recognising there are constraints imposed by the railway and the needs of other road users, such as pedestrians.

75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe

Peter Whittle: On 8 June 2019, Business Secretary Greg Clark announced that May Day Bank Holiday will be moved to Friday 8 May next year, so the nation can mark the 75th anniversary of the victory of the Allies in Europe in the Second World War.1 What plans does the Mayor have for Londoners to mark this auspicious occasion?
1https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48565417

The Mayor: We will definitely be marking the 75th Anniversary of the victory of the Allies next year. We will be having discussions with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and other partners to see how we can best support marking this important anniversary next year.

New trains on Gospel Oak to Barking Line.

Jennette Arnold: In the clearest possible terms please confirm whether the new 710 trains supplied by Bombardier for use on the Gospel Oak to Barking line will be providing a full service on the line before the end of 2019?

The Mayor: Yes, Transport for London (TfL) has every confidence that the new electric trains supplied by Bombardier Transportation will be providing a full service on the Gospel Oak to Barking line before the end of 2019.
A third brand new four-car electric train entered passenger service on the line on Monday 24 June, which has allowed the regular 15-minute frequency to be restored. Once the new trains are operating reliably on the line, more trains will be introduced over the coming weeks until the service is operated entirely with new electric trains.
Transport for London (TfL) is very sorry for the inconvenience the delay to the new trains has been causing to customers. As a well-deserved thank you to passengers on this line for their patience I have secured a month of free travel from September. TfL will provide more detail on this closer to the time.

Full length electronic advertising boards on London Underground escalators (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: Will TfL undertake a review of whether the increased heat and energy requirements of full-length electronic boards on London Underground are compatible with meeting passenger needs and TfL’s commitment to reducing energy?

The Mayor: TfL already has clear plans to reduce energy consumption, and my London Energy Strategy has set TfL a number of targets in this regard, including improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions, and increasing the level of renewable energy supplying TfL assets.
The TfL advertising estate provides vital revenue for reinvestment back into the transport network and increasing the digital nature of this advertising estate means that brands are able to host more dynamic, engaging campaigns for passengers.
The new digital assets installed on the TfL network are on average more energy efficient than the digital assets they replace. Although they will never completely replace poster sites, they have a number of important environmental benefits – such as removing the need for printing, creating less vehicle journeys, and creating no paper, card or vinyl waste.
I will re-emphasise to TfL the necessity of energy efficiency.

Reducing use of escalators on the London Underground

Caroline Pidgeon: While recognising the vital importance of escalators for most parts of the day has TfL given any consideration as to whether energy reductions could be made by reducing the third escalator at times when passenger numbers are low?

The Mayor: Yes. In line with Transport for London’s (TfL) Energy Strategy, London Underground is working to implement station energy plans that identify ways to reduce energy consumption.
Where we have more than two escalators and operations allow, station staff currently switch off the additional escalator(s) during quiet periods.
TfL will shortly launch a trial where local station teams will extend the escalator resting time at suitable locations, to reduce energy consumption further. Posters by resting escalators will explain to customers that TfL is taking this measure to reduce its carbon footprint.
In addition, as part of TfL’s escalator renewal programme, more efficient motors are being installed across the network. TfL’s newest escalators can also be placed into Economy Mode, which automatically slows them down when they are not being used.

Full length electronic advertising boards on London Underground escalators (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: What is the estimated energy requirement for a full-length electronic advertising board beside a London Underground escalator over a full year?

The Mayor: A run of digital ribbon screens, which feature alongside escalators at some stations, has an estimated energy requirement of approximately 40,296kw over the course of a year. Please note this figure is based on an average of 25 screens on each side of the escalator – but this number can vary depending on the length of the escalator at each station.
The new digital advertising assets installed on our network are on average more energy efficient than the digital assets which they are replacing. Although they will never completely replace poster sites they have a number of important environmental benefits, such as removing the need for printing, creating less vehicle journeys for installation, and creating no paper, card or vinyl waste.

Bus Diversion - Consultation

Tony Devenish: On 16th May the Camden New Journal wrote "Bus diversion a sign of calamitous planning by TfL" and "TfL appears to fail when it comes to public consultation. While half-baked consultations on the introduction of cycle lanes have been welcomed by many cyclists they have caused waves of resentment among private drivers and cabbies.” The article goes on to talk about ill-thought through bus diversions and asks "was there any real consultation? Any prior publicity?" What are you doing to ensure TfL becomes truly customer friendly?

The Mayor: Ensuring customer safety and satisfaction is a top priority for Transport for London (TfL). It includes Londoners in its decision-making through its customer services, consultation and local community teams.
My Transport Strategy sets out the urgent need to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries from London’s roads by 2041, drastically improve air quality and get more people walking and cycling. This will be achieved through improvements to the transport network such as safer junctions and better, safer cycling infrastructure. TfL works to balance the needs of all Londoners on these planned changes, and seeks their input through engagement and consultation.
Temporary and emergency diversions in response to accidents and unplanned protests cannot be prepared for so are not consulted on as there is an immediate need to intervene. With planned diversions, TfL works with London boroughs to mitigate the impacts of diversions and find the safest most direct alternative route around borough-permitted construction works or planned utility roadworks.
The most obvious routes for bus diversions may not be the safest or most appropriate and TfL seeks to balance their customers travel needs without compromising on their safety, providing as much notice as possible. This includes on TfL’s Temporary bus changes web page, found here: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/temporary-bus-changes or at bus stops and in bus announcements.

TfL PR

Keith Prince: For the years 15/16, 16/17, 17/18 and 18/19, how much did TfL spend on PR, external affairs and press officers?

The Mayor: Please see my answer to Mayor's Question 2019/12296.

Fatal accident on East End Road [1]

Andrew Dismore: There was a fatal accident on East End Road in East Finchley on Wednesday 22nd May 2019 resulting in the death of a child outside the Five Bells pub. What funding is available to have a thorough review of road safety in the area, and what funding is available to make any suggested improvements?

The Mayor: I was deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death of Sonny Parmar in May, and my thoughts are with his family and friends during this extremely difficult time. Barnet Council, the local highway authority, is undertaking an urgent assessment to identify if any changes can be made to reduce road danger on the East End Road. Transport for London (TfL) has contacted the council to offer its support and will assist this review in any way it can.
Through my transport strategy, I am committed to a Vision Zero approach to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from London roads. We have ensured that funding allocated by TfL to all London Boroughs through their Local Implementation Plans (including Barnet) is earmarked to deliver this strategy.

Fatal accident on East End Road [2]

Andrew Dismore: Barnet Council have a policy not to allow 20 mph zones anywhere but roads with schools on them. In light of the tragic accident on 22nd May, will you consider writing to the council to urge them to scrap this policy, as it is likely to hinder the success of your 2020 road safety vision? Would TfL support establishing the East Finchley part of East End Road as a 20mph zone to reassure local residents?

The Mayor: The evidence is clear that lowering speed reduces the likelihood and severity of collisions. A person walking who is hit by a vehicle travelling at 30mph is up to five times more likely to be killed than if they were hit at 20mph. That is why I am bringing forward a programme to lower speed limits across the Transport for London Road Network as part of my Vision Zero plan.
Many roads operated by London's boroughs already have speed limits of 20mph, and Transport for London will be writing to Barnet Council to offer its support for a 20mph speed limit in East Finchley - as well as lower speeds at other locations in the borough, to meet the aspirations of local residents and help eradicate deaths and serious injuries from our roads. I have also asked my Deputy Mayor for Transport, Heidi Alexander to request a meeting with the leader of Barnet Council, Cllr. Dan Thomas to discuss in more detail how the borough is taking forward the Vision Zero approach.

Backlog of mobile phones and computers awaiting forensic analysis

Andrew Dismore: A backlog of mobile phones and computers awaiting forensic analysis threatens to undermine cases for police forces already under pressure; what is the current backlog in terms of a) time and b) number of cases awaiting analysis in the Met.?

The Mayor: Digital Forensics currently have approximately 1600 exhibits awaiting examination. 60 per cent of these exhibits will be examined within 3 months, 39 per cent of these exhibits will take between 3-12 months, 1 per cent of these exhibits will take over 12 months. Some exhibits take longer than others due to long and protracted investigations, the amount of complex data, the need to review examinations, finite specialist resources and no current method to recover data or bypass security. We expect our examination time to be reduced as a result of more officers being trained to download phones.

Live Facial Recognition (4)

Caroline Pidgeon: Who decided where the piloted Live Facial Recognition (LFR) sites were deployed?

The Mayor: Detective Chief Superintendent Ivan Balhatchet authorised all deployments since the beginning of 2018. Any deployments prior to this date were authorised by an officer of at least Chief Superintendent rank.

London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP)

Caroline Pidgeon: Please provide a comprehensive list of the individual schemes and businesses that have been funded by the London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP)?

The Mayor: Please find attached the table that lists the individual schemes (projects) and businesses that have been funded by the London Economic Action Partnership during the period of May 2016 to May 2019.